ABC FOI 202526-062

Daniel M

The ABC acknowledges receipt of your freedom of information request below, sent on Tuesday 4 November 2025, seeking access to:

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1. All documents, in any format (including but not limited to text messages, WhatsApp, Signal, emails, PDF files, etc.) held within the News Division or the ABC's HR Department, within and matching the following date ranges and keywords.

a) From 1 January 2024 to 4 November 2025, inclusive:

i) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Friendlyjordies"
ii) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Jordan Shanks"
iii) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Jordies"
iv) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Alameddine"

b) From 27 October 2025 to 4 November 2025, inclusive:

i) "RZBQe4RLdZ8" (this being the video ID for the Friendlyjordies YouTube video covering the subject - note that this would be included as part of a URL, e.g. https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.y... )

To assist the ABC in more promptly processing the request, I preemptively agree to the exclusion of:
• duplicates of documents [and] ... email chains;
• draft versions of a document where a later version exists; • publicly available documents; • personal information (including names and contact details) of ABC staff (although job titles are to remain), EXCEPT FOR where the name "Mahmood Fazal" is mentioned, which is to still be included.

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We note that you consented to an extension of time under s 15AA below in your email of 4 November 2025. We are grateful for this extra time, a decision on the request is due by Monday 5 January 2026, factoring in the agreed further 30 days under s 15AA. The ABC will notify you if any processing charges or third party consultation applies.

The ABC will let you know if the request may be an unreasonable diversion of resources, particulary part 1a) as this captures thousands of staff from 2 team/s over almost a 2 year period. It would help to narrow this further including particular reporters, staff names or pieces of content it may relate to.

By making a FOI request, you are providing personal information to the ABC. The ABC manages personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy - available at https://help.abc.net.au/hc/en-us/article.... Personal information may be disclosed in the course of processing this request, such as for the purposes of consultation or internal reporting.

Many thanks

ABC FOI team

13 9994 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Daniel <[FOI #13970 email]>
Sent: Tuesday, 4 November 2025 2:00 PM
To: FOI ABC <[ABC request email]>
Subject: Freedom of Information request - Documents regarding Mahmood Fazal and Friendlyjordies (revised)

Hi ABC FOI team,

I hereby request, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982, the following documents:

1. All documents, in any format (including but not limited to text messages, WhatsApp, Signal, emails, PDF files, etc.) held within the News Division or the ABC's HR Department, within and matching the following date ranges and keywords.
a) From 1 January 2024 to 4 November 2025, inclusive:
i) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Friendlyjordies"
ii) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Jordan Shanks"
iii) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Jordies"
iv) "Mahmood Fazal" and "Alameddine"
b) From 27 October 2025 to 4 November 2025, inclusive:
i) "RZBQe4RLdZ8" (this being the video ID for the Friendlyjordies YouTube video covering the subject - note that this would be included as part of a URL, e.g. https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.y... )

To assist the ABC in more promptly processing the request, I preemptively agree to the exclusion of:
• duplicates of documents;
• duplicate email chains;
• draft versions of a document where a later version exists; • publicly available documents; • personal information (including names and contact details) of ABC staff (although job titles are to remain), EXCEPT FOR where the name "Mahmood Fazal" is mentioned, which is to still be included.

Given the details I am requesting, the ABC will likely require a 30 day extension to consult a third party. As a show of good faith, I also proactively agree to a further extension of up to 30 days under s. 15AA of the FOI Act if one is required.

This request follows from my previous FOI request 202526-057 which I have withdrawn. I have clarified where the searches should be conducted, added point 1(b), and revised the date range down to a shorter period to assist in processing. I hope this is of help to process the request.

Yours sincerely,
Daniel M

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